The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-01-12

tallow candles and spent the hours until the
dawn of day reading authorities on the sub
Ject, and preparing my argument. In the
morning, bright and early. we started for
church in which the discussion was to take
place, we found the crowd so
large that many were refused en-
trance. / was introduced to Kava-
naagh, and we threw upa club school
boy fashion, to see who should get the first
speech. ] got the last grip and, conse-
quently, the first speech. 1 came at my Cd.
and soon saw that 1 had him ratified His
reply was very good; but | had saved myself
for the last speech The words seemed to
flow in torrents from By mouth, and /
closed with all the dramatic force that
could command by giving the quotation
from The Fire Worshipers
Just Allah What must be thy look
When such wretch before thee stands,
Turning the pages Of thy sacred book
With most defiled and blood stained hands,
And drawing fIom its text divine
A charter for his blood and crime.
When closed with that quotation, the
me convinced me that 1 had won the lsurels
in that debate. The decision of the Judges
followed and / was the victor"
While relating this story, the old Governor
arose. drew himself up to his full height and
paced the floor, seemingly carried away by
the enthusiasm which the memories of that
incident, which occurred more than forty
years ago, had created. 1t is to be presumed
that Bishop Kavanaugh never forgot his
young antagonist, Stephen S. Harding.
''IHE BLACK FLAG
was hoisted in Versailles in 1914, when the
anti-slavery movement was in its darkest
hours. / had been announced for the Adolf
ton speech in the courthouse at Versailles
On the morning of the day when 1 was to
speak / rode with select cOterie of friends
over to Versailles. Arriving there a scene
met our astonished gaze which beggared
description. The town was full Of people.
Hundreds OF armed men marched with
measured tread up and down the streets. A
black flag tioated ominously from the court
house tower and black muslin was pinned
across the windows with the words thereon
in white letters:
" Treason! Treason! The Union dissolved
this day by the Abclitionists'
"Over the courthouse doors, which were
locked, was fastened an old figure head
which had done service On the boat Tecum-
sch. This was painted white on one side
and on the other black, and under 1t was the
inscription: The Duke of Milan This was
a nickname by which l was designated at
that time.
ain spite of these hostile indications,
maintained an outward calmness of
manner, and, riding to the principal
hotel | ordered my horse put
up. Mr.. ID. z. Shook, who was then pro
prietor, came forward, and, calling me to
one side, with blanched cheek and trembling
lips, told me that my life was in danger
and advised me to go quickly home. Just
then, to add to the terrOrs of the gloomy
scene, thick clouds massed overhead, the
deep reverberations of thunder rolled fear
fully, the forked tongues of lightning darted
greedily from the clouds, and great drops OF
rain fell heavily, while the wind
sighed in mournful sadness. The scene was
standing there in the prospect of impending
danger, was resolved, if need be, to be
martyr to my principles Raising my hand
to heaven, L cried
81 came here TO make speech in favor of
antislavery, and if every single on that
court house turns into a grinning devil.
Will make that speech
"And did make it. began in front of
the courthouse, and soon had the crowd
ashamed of itself poured forth my con-
victions in greater eloquence of speech than
ever before. While / was thus hurting in.
vective after invective upon the institution
Oh slavery, saw a little, agile young fellow
suddenly spring up and rush around the
courthouse. Shortly thereafter | heard
terrible racket. Then the fgure-head fell
from IFS perch, the doors of the Ripley
County hall OF justice flew open, and there
stood the young man, with proud
figure and flashing eye, welcoming the
Abolitionist to its privileges. The young
man was Jonathan w. Gordon, who after
ward became a Major in the Union army,
and who is now one of Indianas greatest
criminal lawyers and most versatile authors.
A warm friendship sprang up between him
and myself, dating from the memorable
occasion when the black flag was hoisted in
Versailles
Mafn -
preparation of book which viii soon be
forthcoming. 1t will contain a sketch in the
Majors inimitable style of the life and times
of Governor S. s. Harding, together with a
collection of his beautiful poems. 1t will
prove a valuable addition to American
historical literature, and viii, no doubt, have
large sale. w. S. H.